SANTA ANA – A man with a criminal rap sheet crashed head-on with an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy, and officials Monday said they believe the crash was intentional.

Video from the deputy’s patrol car shows that the man was stopped at a red light, facing the deputy on the opposite side of the intersection of Flower and 1st Street before the crash occurred Sunday morning, said Jim Amormino spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s department.

The driver of the car, identified as David Arauho Reyes, began to turn left when the light turn green, then appeared to change direction and headed straight for the deputy.

“He accelerates and crashes head on,” Amormino said.

The impact of the crash left both the patrol car, a marked black and white vehicle, and Reyes’ vehicle badly damaged, Amormino said. The deputy suffered cuts around his face and head, and struggled to get out of the patrol car after the crash.

“You can hear him struggling,” Amormino said.

The deputy drew his handgun and walked toward Reyes’ car to handcuff him just seconds after the crash, Amormino said. Reyes stepped out of the car with his hands in the air, he said.

“It’s clearly an intentional act,” Amormino said.

The deputy, who was identified by the sheriff’s department only as a 12-year veteran who works with the Orange County Transportation Authority, took Reyes into custody. He was later taken to a local hospital to be treated. He has been released since.

Reyes, 25, is currently being held in Santa Ana jail on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, Amormino said. He is being held without bail.

Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department said Reyes is a documented gang member in Santa Ana. He had been recently released from jail on a robbery charge.

Investigators are still looking into what prompted the crash, but said Reyes is a convicted criminal who has been deported in the past. He has been previously arrested on suspicion of robbery, street terrorism, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Authorities are looking into alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision, Amormino said.

(CLICK THE VIDEO TAB ABOVE TO SEE THE PATROL CAR’S VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT)

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